The first house (since demolished) was built on the site in 1859 by Henry Bray. This building was later used as a laundry. Henry replaced the original house in about 1860 with the present building, which was known in those days as Clermont House.
Henry Bray went on to become the third mayor of Concord (1890-1891). He died at Clermont House on 12th August, 1896. In 1917, the estate was sold and subdivided. In 1918, Mr F. K. Oliver bought the house and its surrounding half hectare of land. In the same year, Mr Olliver donated the house and land to the Society for Providing Homes for Neglected Children. The Society had been founded many years before in 1887 by George Edward Ardill (1857-1944). George had established the Society as a charity to provide refuge for neglected, homeless, and threatened children. We also know that George was the second surviving son of Joshua Ardill, an Irish migrant. Joshua was a builder, and later a storekeeper in Parramatta. By the time George was in his early twenties, he had established himself successfully in business in Sydney. Over his lifetime, George Ardill was responsible for establishing the most substantial array of philanthropic societies ever achieved in Australia. In recognition of George Edward Ardill’s donation of the house and land, Clermont House was renamed Ardill House in 1918. |